Mellers

[marisa]

Hi! In the far future I would like to have a Mellers Cham....(like years from now) I have the space for the large areas needed, the funds to care for it and the resources (food, water, lights etc etc)

But I am confused with the information I am getting...some pages say they are hard to care for and a lot die and CB is impossible to find, but then I'll see someone post a picture of theirs and have a wonderful story about them. It seems some think they aren't good "pets" and others think they are great Chams.

Can someone clear this up?

Also what is the likelyhood of finding a Mellers cham here in Ontario? If its near impossible I will gladly consider another species.

Thanks
Marisa

[katev17]

Hmm this is a Q for Trace or Jaylyn to answer lol :D

Sorry,
Kate

[Jaylyn]

I don't really know much about Meller's ... I'll bend to Trace on this one - since I think she has one!!! ;)

Bits I have in my brain from those who have kept or keep Meller's:

- a CB babe is not necessarily hardier than a WC (other advantages, though) - but WC adults tend not to adapt to captivity well

- treating for parasites is crucial and sometimes difficult

- have been known as the "90-day chameleon" - meaning that they usually don't survive past this length of time. But, as exporters/importers improve their handling the mortality rate improves. They are available quite "cheap" in the States as WC which contributes to alot of people buying them on impulse without doing any research. They do have specific diet requirements (some say they need birds to get adequate levels of zinc - so a source of zebra finches may be a good idea???). They need lots of room ... many who have kept them several years devote an entire room to them. Being so large and needing so much food - I doubt many are cared for properly - and so labelled.

-rumours of a "Melleri" virus ....

Good articles about them here: http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2002/nov2002/nov2002index.html


I've seen CB Meller's advertised in Ontario (whether or not they were really CB I don't know)....

Chams have specific requirements - and as long as you are able to meet them - then go for it!!! I'd really do my homework and talk to several people who have kept them sucessfully - that's where you'll get the best information (I can get you some contacts if you like).

Jaylyn

P.S. I want one, too!!

[ReptileHQ]

I've seen genuine CBB in Ontario from the U.S., I forget the name of the breeder right now, sorry:(, but they were cute little guys and did well.

If I remember I'll post it, but they do indeed exist here, just tough to track down...

Chris

[marisa]

I am definitly not going to be getting one for at LEAST a year or more. I want to do research, do some more research and then some more.

I do not have experience with anything but vieled when it comes to Chams but thats because I am not really interested in any others but Mellers. I thought about getting a panther cham or something easier than a Mellers first but it wouldn't make much sense if I am not interested in it in the first place. I'd rather do extra research for the Mellers!

I definitly have room for one, that doesn't bother me but the idea of the finches does somewhat throw me off. Not the "killing" or feeding of birds but the large food supply like you mentioned. I might have to do some hard thinking on that point if in fact its benficial for the Mellers to have birds.

Well one day I hope I do come across either that breeder or another when I am ready! thanks for the replies!

Marisa

[Laurier]

hey marisa,

don't listen to people with saying "ahh you need experience before you can keep this". these are the people that listen to people who tell them that they shouldn't. Just look at me for instense. I was told to get experience with other amphibians before I got into poison frogs and I didn't listen to them and now I have 19 of them. See there is only a few species that you have to understand not to start off with. Hey I used to know someone who started off with a wc parsons and they did awsome with her. From what I have heard, mellers can be kept the same way a veiled can but they need a larger enclosure than what you would give to a veiled. If you are holding back from getting one because you think you lack the experience just say to yourself that your going to buy your chameleon. I made the mistake of not getting some dendrobates pumilio from mark when he had the on a regular basis and than I waited to long and when I wanted them I found out there was a waiting list and now I won't get them till september or october, depending on the production from his breeders. Go for it because you never know when the next opertunity willl arrive.

Laurier

[Trace]

Ok... So I'm behind on answering posts! LOL! I'm usually all over this forum!

Marisa I think you got alot of good information from all the posters on this thread. If you want a Mellor's.... get a Mellor's! You've got enough other herp experience to know that owning another reptile is going to be work. Nothing makes me happier to hear people wanting to do research on an animal before they get one! :D

I do have a Mellor's chameleon. It is, unfortunately a wild caught specimen and does not tolerate handling well. She/he (it's hard to sex them) is still in the "90 day" period at my place. She just finished a course of deworming, so hopefully all will be fine from now on.

As Laurier said.... the husbandry is much like the Veiled. Her hot spot is 30 Celius with a drop to approximately 20 at night. I try and keep the humidity around 80%. She has access to UV and is in a LARGE cage. You can certainly read up on Veiled husbandry.... I won't bore you with it here.

Jaylyn has given you alot of good information in her post, but here is another link to help you out: http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chmelleri.html

Just a few details that I've noticed that are different from some of my other chameleons: She eats like a PIG! All the time, everyday! Be prepared to buy lots of feeders! Mine is still quite small (9" or so) so I haven't gotten into vertebrate foods yet! Soon enough though! :eek: She also drinks like crazy too! Even moreso than my Panther Chameleons! Make sure you've got a drip system for them.

Maybe by the time you are ready for a Mellor's.... I'll have successfully bred this species! I can only hope! LOL

Cheers!

Trace

Here is another pic of mine:

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/405109-0943-med.jpg

[marisa]

Hello!

Thanks Trace for that information! That rules. Your's is just amazing! Their size is definitly a drawing point for me, but more so is the great green/yellow spotting. Its beautiful.

I hope by the time I am ready to get one of those you *will* have captive breds! *L* :)

Marisa

[Boid_22]

Hi Marisa, I don't ever post on this forum because i sold my chams a while ago. Anyways, I'm not 100% nut i think Dave & Andrea Smith of DNA Reptiles are working with a small group of mellerii. I coud very well be wrong though.

Drop em an email and see what they say, It can't hurt.

Cheers.......Ed

[Andy]

From what I have read, one of the problems finding cb Mellers is the fact that many many females have egg binding that occurs after they become gravid. Some times the eggs can be saved, but usually the breeder female will die.

[Trace]

Excellent point Andy! Egg binding is a big problem with female chameleons. I always recommend that "newbies" get a male for precisely that reason!

I'm also a firm believer that if you provide your Meller's (or any female cham) with a proper egg laying chamber, they will not die of dystocia.

Now that being said.... anyone have a few spare Meller's they can give me so I can breed these wonderful woggley eyed critters? LOL!

Cheers!

Trace